Christie Administration Marks Grand Opening of Women Aware Permanent Supportive Housing in New Brunswick

Supportive Housing Development Provides Nine Affordable Housing Opportunities for Survivors of Domestic Violence

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – November 22, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III and New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) Executive Director Anthony L. Marchetta today highlighted the grand opening of the Women Aware Permanent Supportive Housing, an affordable permanent supportive rental housing project in New Brunswick, Middlesex County, for women and children who are survivors of domestic violence. The HMFA, an affiliate of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), provided approximately $566,000 in construction and permanent financing through the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund (SNHTF). Additional funding came from the City of New Brunswick HOME and a private donor.

“The Women Aware Permanent Supportive Housing will provide a safe, secure, and affordable home to nine survivors of domestic violence who are starting over after having fled an abusive relationship,” said DCA Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III, who also serves as Chairman of the HMFA. “Supportive housing developments like this guarantee the continued security of New Jersey’s special needs population, and place them on a path toward self-sufficiency.”

The creation of the Women Aware Permanent Supportive Housing involved the substantial rehabilitation of a three-story residence, previously used as a professional building, into a three-unit apartment building to house nine women and children who are victims of domestic violence. The rehabilitation work included creating three bedrooms out of two large and two small existing rooms on the first floor, converting a sunroom into an additional bedroom on the second floor, and converting a large attic space on the third floor into a new apartment with two new bedrooms, a kitchen, and a full bathroom. New energy efficient appliances were installed in the kitchens and bathrooms on the first and second floors, and new mechanical systems were installed in the basement. Parking was also made available for tenants in the driveway and the rear of the building.

Located in a mixed residential and professional offices neighborhood, the apartments are conveniently located a few blocks from downtown New Brunswick that includes shops, restaurants, pharmacies, houses of worship, theaters, and several social service agencies. In addition, the New Brunswick Middle and Elementary Schools, and a day care center are within a five-block radius from the property, and two major regional hospitals are within a one mile radius from the project site. Residents also have access to various modes of public transportation. The New Jersey Transit bus system, which operates along Somerset and George Street, provides transportation to neighboring municipalities. The Suburban transit bus system that provides services between Princeton and New York City also stops in downtown New Brunswick. The New Brunswick Train Station that serves the Northeast Corridor is also located within 5 blocks from the apartment.

Women Aware, Inc., the project developer, manager, and social service provider, is a comprehensive domestic violence nonprofit agency that provides services to victims of domestic violence that include a 24-hour hotline, an emergency shelter, counseling, a children’s program, legal advocacy, translation services, and community education in Middlesex County.

“We commend Women Aware for their noble efforts in providing affordable housing opportunities for survivors – women and children – working for a better life,” said HMFA Executive Director Anthony L. Marchetta. “HMFA is extremely proud to have provided the capital financing necessary to enable the development of this project that houses and assists some of our most vulnerable residents in New Jersey.”

HMFA administers the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund, established through the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund Act of 2005, which provides capital financing to create affordable, permanent supportive housing and community residences as alternatives to institutional or homelessness for special needs individuals.

For more information, visit the HMFA website at www.njhousing.gov or call 1-800-NJ-HOUSE or (609) 278-7400.

Contact:
Tammori Petty
Sean L. Conner
609-292-6055